Silence settled. Eleanor left without finishing her coffee.

That afternoon, Vanessa arrived early, let herself in like she belonged.

“James said I could grab some files,” she said breezily.

“Of course,” Kaye answered.

Vanessa studied her. “You seem busy lately. With lawyers.”

Kaye looked up. “Yes.”

“Estate matters can complicate marriages,” Vanessa said lightly.

“So can assumptions,” Kaye replied.

That evening, James came into the nursery. “I feel like I’m missing something,” he admitted.

“What would you like to know?” Kaye asked.

“Why everything is so compartmentalized.”

Kaye turned to face him. “Because clarity requires compartments.”

“That sounds like something a lawyer would say,” James muttered.

“It sounds like someone protecting herself,” Kaye replied.

James’s frustration surfaced. “From me?”

Kaye didn’t accuse. She simply said, “From instability.”

The next morning, Kaye initiated Daniel’s request for certified statements. The form required both signatures. She signed electronically and left James’s line pending. She didn’t mention it. Later, an alert confirmed: James signed. Routine, he probably thought.

May 13: Certified bank record request authorized by both parties.

Downstairs, Eleanor spoke on the phone. “We may need to consider adjustments to property titles.”

Property titles. Kaye didn’t confront. She documented the time and words.

Paper waited. Paper always waited.

Continued on the next page